For Immediate Release
MACROMEDIA LICENSES FLASH PLAYER TO SUN MICROSYSTEMS
Flash Player to be Incorporated into Java(TM) Media Framework,
Enabling Java Developers to Integrate Flash into Java Applets
SAN FRANCISCO – JavaOneSM Developer Conference — – June 17, 1999 –
Macromedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: MACR) today announced that Sun Microsystems
will integrate Macromedia’s Flash Player, the standard for
high-impact, vector-based Web sites, into future versions of the
Java(TM)Media Framework reference implementation.
Java(TM)technology-enabled applications can now make use of Flash
content, including sound, interactivity, graphics and animations.
Sun’s Java Media Framework API specifies an architecture to
synchronize, capture, and control time-based media, such as audio and
video, within applets and applications written in the Java
programming language.
The announcement builds on Macromedia’s commitment to make Flash a
ubiquitous solution for creating the most compelling Web experience.
Because of its small code footprint, compact file size, broad
distribution, and unique scalability, the Flash Player is ideal for
displaying Web content on both desktop machines and Internet
appliances. Developers can design high-quality Flash content once and
know that it will perform flawlessly across the range of supported
platforms, including Sun’s Java Media Framework technology.
“Macromedia’s vision is to allow developers to author once and deploy
over a variety of systems,” said David Mendels, senior vice president
and co-general manager of Macromedia’s Web Publishing division.
“Developers can add life to their applications by incorporating Flash
content inside widely deployed Java applets and applications.”
“Sun is very excited to be working with Macromedia to augment the
rich set of functionality provided in the Java Media Framework
technology,” said Jon Kannegaard, vice president and general manager
of Sun Microsystems’ Java Software. “Integrating the Flash Player
into JMF will greatly enhance the capabilities of developers to add
rich media content into applets and applications written in the Java
programming language.”
The Flash player currently ships with all major Web browsers and
operating systems (including Netscape Navigator 4.0.6 and higher,
Windows 98, Internet Explorer 4 and 5, AOL 4, Mac OS 8 and above,
Real Player G2, Web TV, and all Liberate Technologies set top boxes)
making Flash the most viewable rich media format on the Internet.
According to a recent study by research firm King, Brown, & Partners,
the Flash Player is installed in more than 100 million Web browsers,
with 77 percent of Web consumers currently able to view Flash content
without needing to download a plug-in. For more information about
Flash and the Flash Player, please visit http://www.flash.com/.
Other Macromedia applications that publish to the Flash file format
include Macromedia FreeHand(R), which combines professional
illustration tools and a powerful, multi-page document layout
environment for print and Web multipublishing, and Macromedia
Generator(TM), the server side solution for automating and
personalizing Web site graphics.
About Macromedia
Macromedia’s mission is to add life to the Web. By providing its
award-winning Web Publishing, Web Entertainment, and Web Learning
solutions to Web designers, consumers, and the enterprise, Macromedia
is delivering a completely new generation of Internet tools and
technologies designed to transform the Web experience. Headquartered
in San Francisco, Macromedia (NASDAQ: MACR) has more than 500
employees worldwide and is available on the Internet at
http://www.macromedia.com.
For More Information, Contact:
Macromedia
Mary Leong
Pr@macromedia.com
(415) 553-2700